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2023 Best Value Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

15 Ranked Colleges
589 Degrees Awarded
$18,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts is the 62nd most popular major in the country with 16,778 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, film, video and photographic arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $24,170 and had an average of $25,804 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 589 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,506 and $28,717 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 15 colleges that offer a degree in film, video and photographic arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great film, video and photographic arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the film, video and photographic arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 15 Best Value Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Pennsylvania is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 28 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

UPenn also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $580 for pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Pennsylvania.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full UPenn Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

2
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lafayette College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Easton, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lafayette, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lafayette is $11,728 for Pennsylvania Film students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Lafayette

3
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carnegie Mellon University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s film degrees to qualified students.

Carnegie Mellon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $16,456 for pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carnegie Mellon University.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Carnegie Mellon Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

4
Muhlenberg crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Muhlenberg College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Muhlenberg is a small school located in Allentown, Pennsylvania that handed out 7 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Muhlenberg, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $18,000 for Pennsylvania Film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Muhlenberg College.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Muhlenberg

5
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Temple University landed the #5 spot on the list. Temple University is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 190 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Temple, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Temple is $18,173 for pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Temple University

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 26 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Pitt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Pitt is $15,084 for Pennsylvania Film students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Pitt Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

7
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Area Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 5 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at HACC, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for HACC is $9,741 for pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Harrisburg Area Community College

8
Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Messiah University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Messiah is a small school located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 7 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Messiah also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $18,751 for pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Messiah.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Messiah

9
Marywood crest
Marywood University
Scranton, Pennsylvania

Marywood University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marywood is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Marywood did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $18,249 for pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marywood.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Marywood

10
Point Park crest
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #10, Point Park University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 37 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k list, Point Park has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $17,036 for pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Point Park.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Point Park Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

11
La Roche crest
La Roche University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

La Roche University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. La Roche University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

La Roche also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend La Roche is $18,744 for Pennsylvania Film students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full La Roche Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

12
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Drexel is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Drexel also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $24,508 for Pennsylvania Film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Drexel University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Drexel

13
DeSales crest
DeSales University
Center Valley, Pennsylvania

DeSales University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. DeSales is a private not-for-profit institution located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k list, DeSales has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DeSales University is $23,829 for pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at DeSales

14
UArts crest
The University of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #14, The University of the Arts did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

UArts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $34,845 for pennsylvania film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UArts.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UArts

15
Moore College crest
Moore College of Art and Design
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Moore College of Art and Design did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.

Moore College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Moore College of Art and Design is $36,079 for Pennsylvania Film students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Moore College Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

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